It’s likely that you’ve heard horror stories about liposuction procedures gone terribly wrong. Unfortunately, there are unlicensed, uncertified, and even untrained practitioners claiming to produce miraculous results with liposuction, often in unsanitary and ill-equipped surgical environments. Some unlucky patients have even gone as far as going to another country to cut costs on the procedure, suffering at the hands of practitioners not utilizing FDA-regulated equipment or board-certified practices.
Oftentimes, these people require follow-up procedures from additional cosmetic surgeons in an attempt to try to reverse the damage, pouring even more money into an appearance issue that still remains unresolved. Worse yet, they succumb to complications with severe, adverse health consequence—even death.
What can you do to make sure you don’t become the next victim of botched liposuction? Like all cosmetic surgeries, liposuction should be taken with the utmost consideration for health, safety, and well-being. By utilizing these five methods listed below, you should be able to find the best surgeon and procedure for you.
1. Do Your Research
Do not rely on one consultation from one cosmetic surgeon to provide you with all of the information that you need to make an informed decision. It will take multiple consultations and visits to multiple practitioners, as well as many hours of reading up on the type of liposuction procedure you want and asking the right questions. In the process of meeting with cosmetic surgeons and researching on your own, you may find that the procedure you originally wanted might not be best suited for you. You should also be aware of the risks and complications of the procedure going in; post-operation is no time for unpleasant surprises.
Remember, this is a serious and expensive medical procedure that will affect the rest of your life. Before you make your final decision, you should feel confident that you understand the ins and outs of the procedure, that you are fully aware of the risks, and that you are prepared for the possibility of complications. Do not feel pressured to make a hasty decision, especially when the consequences are likely permanent and directly affect your health and safety.
2. Choose the Right Doctor
Speaking of asking the right questions, here are several that you should ask your future potential cosmetic surgeon:
There’s also the matter of asking yourself the right questions, including whether the practitioner you are considering has produced quality results in patients with similar body shapes and concerns to yours, whether you feel like you can trust the surgeon to recommend the safest procedure for you, and whether you feel comfortable with both asking this surgeon any question and disclosing your full medical history and habits to them.
If you’re still having trouble deciding, consider the customer service aspect. Are the staff members friendly and helpful? Do the materials they provide fully prepare you for the realities and risks of the surgery and the recovery process? When you contact their office, do you receive a prompt reply?
Steer clear if the surgeon is promising liposuction as a miracle cure intended for weight loss, because it’s not! Liposuction is a sculpting procedure; it should ideally be performed on someone who is at or close to their ideal weight and simply cannot get rid of unappealing localized fat, no matter how hard they try. A truly high-quality cosmetic surgeon should guide you toward realistic expectations, always keeping in mind your health and well-being.
3. Do NOT Try to Cut Costs
Learn from the mistakes of those who have skimped on procedures in favor of cutting costs; it could cost you your life. From “bargain bin” liposuction performed in a hotel room, to travelling abroad for non-accredited surgeons, to injecting mystery substances into your body, to performing multiple procedures at once (which is incredibly risky and rife with the potential for complications), there are people out there who will attempt to take advantage of unknowing patients seeking liposuction at a reduced rate.
Liposuction, when performed correctly by a trained, licensed cosmetic surgeon in a clean, accredited environment, is not cheap. Be prepared for the costs associated with the procedure—which often are not covered by medical insurance and must be paid out-of-pocket—before taking the plunge. If you cannot afford a quality surgeon, then you cannot afford the surgery.
4. Follow Post-Operation Instructions
Cosmetic surgeons make post-operation suggestions in order to significantly reduce the likelihood of complications. You may need to engage in light physical activity, wear compression garments to reduce swelling, or stop certain over-the-counter medications. If you have chosen the right doctor, you should feel completely comfortable with following all of their instructions, down to the last detail. If you are having any doubts, get a second opinion before choosing that practitioner.
5. Have Realistic Expectations
As stated before, if you have selected a high-quality cosmetic surgeon, they should ensure that you have a realistic understanding of what liposuction does and the effect it will achieve on your body. Don’t expect to look skinny immediately after the surgery; the final results take several months to achieve, after the swelling has gone down. Also, do not assume that all body parts are treatable. A reliable cosmetic surgeon will tell you if you are a good candidate for surgery, and will have produced quality results on prior patients. To see if they can really give you the look you’re searching for, or if they can even come close, you should study their prior patient outcomes extensively and establish whether they have addressed your body concern on someone with a similar body type and concern.
Liposuction Can Be Life-Changing—For Better or For Worse
Choose wisely! Contact the experts at Phoenix Liposuction with your questions regarding procedures, practitioners, and price quotes today!